Find the best medical alert apps

Our picks for top medical alert apps

To select our top picks for medical alert apps, we started with a list of 12 companies that specialize in medical alert systems. To narrow it down, we first considered their overall customer satisfaction ratings, recent reviews and online experience. We then compared app features, costs and medical alert device compatibilities to determine our final picks.

• Philips Lifeline: Our pick for caregivers
• LifeFone: Our pick for a stand-alone app
• MobileHelp: Our pick for upgradeable features
• Medical Guardian: Our pick for full home monitoring
• Bay Alarm Medical: Our pick for weather monitoring
• Lively: Our pick for smartwatch compatibility

Philips Lifeline’s medical alert app, called Philips Cares, provides caregivers with quick, easy access to information about their loved ones. The features of Philips Cares can also be accessed on a computer for individuals who may not have a smartphone or tablet.

Here’s how it works: Philips Cares lets you create a Care Circle of designated people to keep updated about someone using one of its medical alert systems. One helpful feature of Philips Cares is that it lets anyone who is a part of a Care Circle manage their availability. This means designated contacts can mark themselves unavailable to respond to emergencies during certain times so the monitoring center team knows who to reach out to.

Philips Cares is available for both iPhones and Android devices.

LifeFone provides access to two medical alert apps:

• The Mobile Alert app is for individual use. It functions as a panic button with multiple settings, so it can connect you with virtual assistance whether you’re having an emergency or simply feeling unsafe.
• The Family Guard app has all the capabilities of the Mobile Alert app and extends them by allowing connected users to monitor each others’ locations in real time.

Both of LifeFone’s apps are available for iPhones and Android devices.

MobileHelp Connect is a set of digital tools that use GPS technology to help designated caregivers keep track of and monitor a MobileHelp medical alert system user. Caregivers can access information such as activity levels, medication reminders, location histories and real-time device tracking, though some features may require you to upgrade to a Connect Premium subscription. Also, GPS location tracking is limited to 30 location requests per month unless you want to pay extra.

MobileHelp Connect is available for both iPhones and Android devices.

Medical Guardian offers two apps that help authorized caregivers access important information about their loved ones when using corresponding devices. The Freedom Guardian and Family Guardian apps have a number of features that let caregivers check in on their loved ones at any time.

When used with the Family Guardian in-home medical alert system, the Family Guardian app lets you access real-time tracking information, request check-ins, receive alerts when activity sensors have been triggered, view activity history and receive notifications should the device remain inactive for prolonged periods throughout the day.

These apps are available for both iPhones and Android devices. For more information, check out what we like about Medical Guardian’s top smartwatch, Freedom Guardian.

Bay Alarm Medical offers existing subscribers the option to add access to its Caregiver Tracking App. Using a 4G LTE network, The Caregiver Tracking App allows designated users to pinpoint a loved one’s exact location. App users can track the device’s location in real time or see a detailed accounting of activity history. It also sends courtesy alerts about extreme weather conditions (such as high temperatures or storms) and notifications about emergency situations.

The Caregiver Tracking App is available for iPhones and Android devices.

Lively has two apps — the Lively app and Lively Link. The Lively app can turn your iPhone and Apple Watch into a stand-alone medical alert system with many unique features, but it doesn’t have all the same functions for Android users. Lively Link is more targeted toward caregivers who want to monitor a loved one with a separate Lively medical alert device.

Both Lively apps are compatible with Apple and Android devices, though features may vary depending on which you use.

What to consider when choosing a medical alert system app

Location monitoring might be critical if you’re caring for someone who has dementia.

Considering the following things will help you find the best medical alert app for you or your loved one:

• Function: Some medical alert apps provide access to monitoring centers or emergency contacts. Others let your friends and family keep track of where you are and how you’re doing. Think about what you want from a medical alert app and choose accordingly.
• System: Do you want an app that works all on its own, or are you looking to complement another medical alert system? Both options are available, but stand-alone apps are harder to find.
• Cost: Some medical alert companies include an app with a subscription to their monitoring services, but others charge extra for app access.
• Important features: Pick an app that has the features that matter most to you. Features such as real-time location monitoring and the ability to view activity histories are often critical.
• Information sharing: Some medical alert apps let you record and distribute information about medical issues. These caregiver tools can help friends and family coordinate their efforts and care for their loved ones remotely.

Bottom line: What are the best medical alert apps?

If you want a stand-alone app that provides access to 24-hour monitoring centers, we suggest checking out LifeFone and Lively. They have highly recommended safety alert apps that offer this service through iPhones and Android devices.

If you're looking for a medical alert app that lets you monitor a loved one’s activity and get alerts about emergency situations, Philips Lifeline, MobileHelp, Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian would be a good pick.